I am a 57, And a widow.Very bubbly and down to earth.
I have never travel in a caravan or motor home, But now its my turn to shine. I love the Australian outback and want to see it all.

Where do I start? I  wanting to travel alone,Eventually,

1) Should I travel with someone to start with, So they can show me the ropes, and
share costs?

2) As I am new to this,should I go for small and compacted or a trail and tent set up?

I am very excited about the New life.I just need lots of input, Please.

Kindest regards to all.

Welcome.
There are plenty of people here travelling solo and am sure they will offer good advice to you.
There is a solo forum that while not restricted to solo's has great advice.

G'Day Annie, Glad you found the site ok, lot's of good info from lots of good and experienced solo's here and others, you've come to the right spot ! Welcome to the Forum, Vic

Hello Annie and welcome to the forum, goodness where to start now theres the question of the month, you will be better served by our fantastic solo's on this but don't be put off by questioning us non solo's either all input is good if it was me about to go on my own I would perhaps start with a Toyota hi-ace camper, easy to drive, easy to setup and very easy on the pocket, once you gain a bit of experience then start looking at larger units but of course there are a lot that simply stay with the camper, we have for many years and are very happy with it I am not so sure about a tent, although a lot of people swear by them I suffer from arthritis and rheumatism so the cold nearly kills me, I find the tent air a little too fresh for me and all the gear that must be carried is, to me a bit daunting, not to mention wet weather whatever you do start off slow and easy, just dip your toe in the water first maybe a weekend away to the local c/park and see how you like it and see what you need, once you work out your fundamentals then expand your travels it's not rocket science but there is a few traps for our younger players, baby steps and then "run like hell" is the way to go anything you want to know dont be afraid to ask

Welcome Annie. You've chosen one of the best sites to gain all sorts of info about travelling. There are hundreds of we solos out there travelling with everything from a tent, campervan, motor home or caravan. I've chosen caravan to live and travel in full time. Dave's spot on. The Toyota Hi-Ace is the most appropriate rig to set off with I believe. It's easy to drive, economical to run and very comfortable to do the job. If you find one that's already set up you can get a good idea of what you personally need. Do you intend to live on the road full time, or just take short/long trips away from a home base? If you have a really good friend you can trust you could double up and share. Or you could tagalong with a friend who has a vehicle of their own. You can share camp spots or caravan parks. That's another thing. Are you planning to free camp or use van parks? That ought to do it. Keep asking question, and someone here will certainly do their best to answer them. Whatever you choose to travel in, take short trips to suitable locations first, to get your confidence up. Do it with friends at first if you're a little shy. You may even build up enough confidence to do it alone as I and lots of us do. Men and women are out there doing it. Cheers Chris

Hi Annie and welcome to the forum. They are indeed a helpful bunch here, I am a newbie myself. 

My first adventure into camping/travelling was with my partner in a small tent and although I had the time of my life, we have now opted for a van, just a comfort factor really. Like Dave said, to be off the ground is bliss, weather is not a problem and everything in either a van or a Hi-Ace is virtually at your fingertips.

Whatever you choose, you will love it I think.

G,Day Bubbles, hate all this formality, but so far all the advice you have recieved is spot on, any enclosed vehicle with a sink, frig and a bed, size wise the bigger the more cost, so a highace, kombi, etc thats all you need and a yen to explore all those wonderful spots you read about but as yet are still a dream When I strarted seriously it was a tent and a ute, but as the bones get older we all tend to look for more creature comforts, (which also mean more money, So live your dream kid and let it all hang out

Hello Chris, Thank you for responding.

I hope to stay away for a year.I have been so interested about seeing Australia this way.And a few month wont help my itch. Having said that, I was going to make a few short trips to get use to my rig and so-forth.

I do like that idea of The Toyota Hi-Ace thou.That sounds easy enough.(My Friends think I am mad to do this.But they aren't single and had enough of the rut race. The ones that are single, couldn't do without the female shopping etc, and strutting their stuff in their refineries.. I have said this to them and they agree.) I was hoping to stay in Caravan parks at first, Until I made a few friends that can point me in the way of free park.

A couple of things that worries me mostly , Breaking down  at night away from anything, And my personal security.There will be more Questions, But at the moment these are at the front of my mind.

Thanks again to everyone for your most helpful replies.I need lots of input.

Kind regards Annie

Bubbles, i like that, so anyway Bubbles what we found is this breaking down at night will never be a problem simply because most of us, and you will be, tucked up in a campsite well before 5 o'clock, thats not beddybyes thats just getting ready to be settled for the night, belonging to a roadside assistance group (R.A.A. , R.A.C.V, or whatever it's equivelent is) will take that worry about breakdowns away your personal security will come as your "instincts" get a bit honed, you will learn not to park near towns close to weekends, you will learn which parking spots are good and which are bad, in short you will gain skills that will alert you to "safe" camping spots, honestly we have been travelling almost all our lives, still are now, we have yet to be "molested" but I live in hope that that gang of female bikies are going to ride over the crest and completely ravish me, and leave me a trembling wreck, Siiiiiiiggghhhh!!!! hasen't happened yet, oh well I live in hope!!! by the time you have got your vehicle you will have already bought the "camps australia book" which is found in many good bookstores and is simply the travellers bible, you can have a squizz at the website here.... http://www.campsaustraliawide.com/..... this book will give you almost all known free or low cost campsites all across australia there is also a group called "tagalong" or something like that, chris would be able to point you in the right direction for that anything you wish to know just ask, someone here will have the answer for you

Davo, Thanks you guys, And to everyone here that has posted to me,You are the bees-knees.

I have read  everything you write and put  it in my mind-bank.I have a little book by my computer that takes all notes on-board.

I have been give a Book Called 'Gregory's, Caravan Survival Guide",I have high-lighted so much.

 IF  have a question that puzzles me, I will be on here.

I hope, when I get rolling, I will eventually meet you all.

Please, anything you think of, That will help me ,Just put it on here,I will read it.

I am so excited I am jumping out of my skin.

One thinks about  it,It is now my plan for the future.It take a little while to melt into the gray matter. I woke up one morning and it was somehow decide through the night,Caravanning was going to be the rest of my life.

Now its so in trench , I am like a 'Parana on Anna Bligh's leg'!( tongue in check of course)
 

Dave is right about the night travel mate. We have a three o'clock rule when we travel. If we are staying in van parks especially, we like to be booked in by three and you are usually assured of a reasonable spot. The travellers that pull in after four and five tend to have to take what they can get.

It is good to be near the ammenities but not too close, the noise, of all sorts, is not pleasant.

Travelling at night, there are too many animals on the road after dark as well so best to avoid them.

We have a book, like a lot of the members here, called Camps 4. There is now a Camps 5 out, and it is brilliant to say the least. Check it our, I think Dave put the link in his post.

Your friends haven't a clue about which they speak unless they've done it. People have preconceived notions about the nomad lifestyle. Lonely, grubby, isolated and many more. WRONG! Very wrong. It's anything but a lonely lifestyle, unless you want to be alone. As for grubby, it's personal choice how clean you want to live. It doesn't take much water to swish the day's dirt off. If you want a luxurious shower, even roadhouses have those, but caravan parks always have them. Some national park camps have showers and even flushing loos. The options are as diverse as the dots on the map. Your choice. Whether you keep returning to the same camping spots or move on and never return, you learn as you go. This lifestyle, in my opinion, is all about being among the country, living out there and meeting other people who are doing the same, and talking to the people who actually live out there. It's not about the stilletos in the Simpson, or the right handbag for a walk through the Daintree. It's about commonsense and comfort - your comfort. Two of my friends wondered what the hell I thought I was doing living and travelling in my van. They did a couple of long trips. The last one was to go home, sell up, upgrade the travel mode and do the same. It's a contagious lifestyle. Cheers Chris

Welcome to the pages Annie. I always advise to rent a couple of different units (campervans, caravans, etc....) for a week or so and takes short trips to try them out. That way you find out what you like and what you are capable of handling and the approx running costs of the various outfits. If you want to be away for a year you really don't want to be buying something that you either can't handle or don't enjoy. Apart from that .......listen to the good folks on here because they speak from experience.

Damn Granny!!! I wanted to see those photos of you in the stilettos in the Simpson too.

Not a snowball's hope in hell Ducky! Do you have a good imagination? Then close your eyes, and dream away. If I'm having a good time and want to spoil it I go shopping for clothes, shoes and handbags. Retail is definitely not therapy for this granny. Not that I'm a slob, but comfortable, clean and neat are my preferred fashion statement. Besides, why would I want to put my feet into cramped, 6 inch stilettos? I'm sure I'd fall over. Not a graceful look. Cheers Chris

"The Duck is sitting back dreaming" I'd settle for 4 inch heels Granny.....as long as it's in the Simpson. If you still fall over, I guess we can work our way up to a pair of well worn sneakers. :)

Hello Ducky, What a great Idea,thank you.I enjoy reading your post.TC,Annie

Thank you.I love reading all the post, I am like a wildebeest that hasn't seen grass and water in a month.TC

 Kind Regards Annie

actually following duckies idea of a rental unit, why not tie it up with a great destination, something compact and beautifull, somewhere like Tassie, it's compact, it's absolutely glorious scenery, the natives are freindly and allow free camping almost everywhere and it's relatively easy to get around in, dont go in the winter, can get a wee bit nippy, maybe a week in summer over there would let you decide if this lifestyle is for you

Hello Firefly, Thanks for that.Where can I get that book.Every off here that I am told I write down to refer back to its so valuable to me.TC

Hello davo, Is that my New 'come=on"name Bubbles?Like a CB calling name,lol, I like it to, because its trues,I am bubbly.Thanks you.Great site to be sure.TC

Hello Mike and Judy,You don't have to be formal, 'bubbles' is the name,lol, So I read.

I am a bit addicted to this site,I haven't been for my morning walk yet.I must go.TC. Thank you so much for your input.

Kind regards Annie

hey Bubbles, dont know about a "come on " line but it appears to have stuck, doesnt matter what they call us as long as it's not late for tea, glad you are enjoying the banter, the book is called "camps australia wide" and is currently in it's "5th" edition, you should be able to get it from any good bookstore or travel store or even online

Davo, Yes I would love to see tassie,But, Gee, Can I keep my feet in Aust untill I put my water wings on my rig?lol.

Hello granny,Thanks, You have start me looking at The Toyota Hi-Ace now,Yes they look like me. Have you been on the road awhile granny?I hope I meet you alone the way. You TC.  Kind Regards Annie

wherever you feel comfortable, perhaps "victoria", along the murray and it's tributarys, always a good trip and plenty of free camps, locals arent as freindly though, blue mountains are always fantastic gibb river road is a good trip, we love the deserts, most are easily navigable by two wheel drive in spring, (dont do it in summer or winter, too hot and too wet) we do them every couple of years when the "urge" gets too much. after all here in pirie we are basically "in" the desert, 100 k's up the road over the ranges and we are in never never land

Thanks Gary And Kerry,and Hello, Yes, I see so many solo, I don't feel  so isolated now,I didn't realize how many there are out there.Its Great.TC

Regards Annie

Hello bushladybythesea We have just began our Adventure and left Tasmania in May,best thing we ever done dont know where we are going or when although we have been in Casino New South Wales for the last couple of months We love the quite. No cities for us, we have met some great people and have got a lot out of this forum.Great bunch of people.If you decide to go to Tassie it is best to do it in February,March as these are more settled weather wise can even snow there in December The ferry trip over is great although at certain times can be expensive(peak periods)Wherever you may decide to go enjoy as life is just too short and there is so much to see and do in our beautiful country Happy safe travels Chris and Robbie

Hi bubblybushladybythesea, welcome from my Annie and me as well. Lots of great advice in this forum, listen to those that have posted above and you will be away before you know it. see you out there one day. Johnw